Easy Summer Meals That Are Light And Super Nutritious

Yes, it’s true. Summer is the most hated time of the year for cooking because it can make our homes even hotter, but we have to eat, don’t we? These easy summer meals that are light and supper nutritious will get your mouth watering as soon as you see them. You won’t even care about the extra heat from the oven!

Check out the ingredients lists, see whether you will have to go shopping, or you already have the ingredients in the fridge, and get down to work!

Vegan Tacos

Do you want to eat something super spicy today? These vegan tacos will be on your table in just 40 minutes. Note that the prep time is only 25 minutes! Check the link below for a full tutorial to the recipe.

Ingredients:

Mango Avocado Salsa

  • 2Ā cupsĀ peeled and diced mango,Ā about 2 medium
  • 1Ā medium ripe avocado,Ā diced
  • ¾ cupĀ diced red onion
  • ½ cupĀ diced cucumber
  • 3Ā tablespoonsĀ fresh orange juice
  • 3Ā tablespoonsĀ fresh lime juice
  • ½ cupĀ cilantro,Ā finely chopped
  • Sea salt

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning

  • 1½ teaspoonsĀ onion powder
  • 1Ā teaspoonĀ sweet or hot paprika
  • 1Ā teaspoonĀ freshly ground black pepper
  • 1Ā teaspoonĀ dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoonĀ ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoonĀ ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoonĀ cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoonĀ ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoonĀ nutmeg

Jackfruit

  • 2Ā (20-ounce) cans jackfruit in brine or water
  • 2Ā tablespoonsĀ extra-virgin olive oil
  • 6Ā scallions,Ā white and light green parts, sliced
  • 4Ā garlic cloves,Ā minced
  • 1½-inch piece fresh ginger,Ā grated
  • 1Ā habanero,Ā serrano or jalapeƱo pepper, minced
  • 2Ā tablespoonsĀ coconut sugar or agave nectar
  • 2Ā tablespoonsĀ tomato paste
  • ¼ cupĀ tamari
  • 3Ā tablespoonsĀ fresh lime juice
  • 12Ā corn tortillas,Ā charred or warmed
summer dinner ideas healthy
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Stuffed Zucchini Boats

I love to eat zucchini all year round, and these stuffed zucchini boats are my favorite. Plus, they will be ready quicker than the tacos that you saw above. You can consume these boats either as a main dish or a side dish.

Ingredients:

  • 2Ā large or 3 medium zucchini,Ā halved lengthwise
  • 1Ā large egg,Ā beaten
  • 1Ā cupĀ torn crusty bread,Ā crumbled
  • ⅔ cupĀ grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ garlic clove,Ā minced
  • ½ cupĀ quartered cherry tomatoes
  • 2Ā teaspoonsĀ lemon zest
  • 2Ā tablespoonsĀ fresh thyme leaves
  • ¼ cupĀ pine nuts
  • Extra-virgin olive oil,Ā for drizzling
  • Pesto,Ā for serving
  • Sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
light summer meals
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Stuffed Peppers

Now it’s the season to eat fresh and healthy peppers, and the stuffed peppers is on the list of my favorite meals ever. You can adapt the filling according to your taste, or what you have in your fridge. You can even make it with minced meat or just skip it for a vegan variation of the meal.

Ingredients:

    • 4Ā red bell peppers
    • Extra-virgin olive oil,Ā for drizzling
    • 1½ cupsĀ white cheddar cheese
    • Avocado slices or guacamole,Ā for serving
    • Lime wedges,Ā for serving
    • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Filling

    • 1Ā tablespoonĀ extra-virgin olive oil
    • 2Ā garlic cloves,Ā grated
    • 2Ā jalapeƱos,Ā diced, more for topping, if desired
    • 2Ā scallions,Ā chopped
    • 1Ā teaspoonĀ lime zest
    • 1½ tablespoonsĀ lime juice
    • 1Ā teaspoonĀ cumin
    • 1Ā teaspoonĀ coriander
    • 1Ā teaspoonĀ cayenne
    • 1Ā teaspoonĀ sea salt
    • ½ cupĀ finely chopped cilantro
    • 3Ā cupsĀ cooked white jasmine rice
    • 1½ cupsĀ cooked black beans,Ā drained and rinsed
    • 1½ cupsĀ corn kernels
summer dinner ideas hot days
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Grilled Vegetables

Do you love to combine lots of vegetables in your diet? Here’s a recipe that incorporates a dozen of them in just one meal.

Ingredients:

  • 1Ā yellow squash
  • 1Ā zucchini
  • 8Ā ouncesĀ cremini mushrooms,Ā stemmed
  • 1Ā small red onion
  • 1Ā red bell pepper
  • 1Ā green bell pepper
  • 1Ā ear fresh corn,Ā cut into 1-inch rounds
  • Extra virgin olive oil,Ā for drizzling
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • tzatziki,Ā pesto, orĀ Greek dressingĀ for drizzling/serving
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Fajita Veggies

Doctors advise us to have a rainbow in our plates, and I have to tell you that this is a delicious one prepared in just half an hour.

Ingredients:

  • 3Ā multi-colored peppers,Ā stemmed and sliced into strips
  • 3Ā portobello mushrooms,Ā stemmed and wiped clean
  • 1Ā red onion,Ā sliced into wedges
  • 2Ā tablespoonsĀ avocado oil
  • 2Ā garlic cloves,Ā chopped
  • ½ teaspoonĀ chili powder,Ā more to taste
  • ½ teaspoonĀ cumin
  • ½ teaspoonĀ sea salt,Ā more to taste
  • Splash of balsamic vinegar
  • 2Ā limes,Ā sliced into wedges
  • Freshly ground black pepper

For serving:

  • 8Ā Flour or Corn Tortillas
  • GuacamoleĀ or avocado slices squeezed with lime
  • Pickled JalapeƱosĀ or sliced plain jalapeƱos
  • Diced tomatoes orĀ Pico de Gallo
  • Cilantro
  • Tomatillo SalsaĀ orĀ Pineapple Salsa

summer dinner ideas vegetarian
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Eggplant Parmesan

The eggplant parmesan dish is ideal for the times when you are expecting guests and you want to impress them with your cooking skills, or you just want to treat yourself.

Ingredients:

  • 2Ā large eggplant,Ā cut into ¼-inch thick rounds
  • 2Ā eggs,Ā beaten
  • ¼ cupĀ almond milk
  • 1½ cupsĀ panko breadcrumbs
  • 1¼ cupĀ grated Parmesan cheese,Ā divided
  • 2Ā teaspoonsĀ oregano
  • 2Ā tablespoonsĀ fresh thyme
  • ½ teaspoonĀ red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoonĀ sea salt,Ā more for sprinkling
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Extra-virgin olive oil,Ā for drizzling
  • 28Ā ouncesĀ Marinara Sauce
  • 2Ā large balls fresh mozzarella,Ā thinly sliced
  • ā…“Ā cupĀ fresh basil leaves
healthy summer meals
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Zucchini Lasagna

Lasagna can be made in so many different ways, and it’s a pity if we don’t make it with zucchinis in summer.

Ingredients:

Zucchini Tofu Ricotta: (can be made ahead)
  • ¼ cup chopped walnuts
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 7 ounces extra-firm tofu
  • ½ cup chopped zucchini
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ cup chopped fresh basil
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt, more to taste
  • freshly ground black pepper

For the Lasagna:

  • 5 ounces brown rice lasagna noodles
  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 2 zucchini, sliced into thin planks
  • 1 cup grated pecorino cheese
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
quick summer meals
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These easy summer meals are great inspiration for the times when you don’t have a clue what to cook, so make sure you save the link in your bookmarks!

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